Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Ukraine's intensified drone and missile strikes deep inside Russia have strengthened Kyiv's position and increased pressure on Moscow to return to negotiations.

Stubb told the Financial Times that NATO leaders understand Ukraine's approach, even as some governments remain concerned about the risk of Russian escalation.

"I think that [all NATO leaders] understand why Ukraine is doing this," Stubb said. "Everyone believes that we need to continue to increase the pressure."

Stubb spoke ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where support for Ukraine is expected to be discussed.

"We are in a fairly good place when it comes to Ukraine because everyone, including our American friends, sees that Ukraine is right now on top on the battlefield," Stubb said. "That has changed the strategic thinking also of those who are trying to mediate peace.

"Ukraine is in a better position, militarily, politically, and financially, than they have been at any time in this war. That is why we are seeing a lot of uneasy activity in Russia right now."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the long-range strikes are intended to "compel" Moscow to end its invasion.

"When war becomes personal ... the Russian population is going to turn against it," Stubb said. "This gives us an opportunity to get back to the negotiating table, which I think we all desperately want."

Russia has warned that Western support for Ukraine is drawing NATO countries closer to direct involvement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV that Western support had turned Russia's "special military operation" into "a real war."

Stubb said Europe should be prepared for more Russian provocations, especially if a ceasefire is reached.

"I think we have to be realistic and say that in the short term, there will be hybrid attacks on Europe," he said. "We see these almost on a daily basis."

Stubb said Ukraine's NATO membership debate has effectively been delayed until after a possible ceasefire, but he argued Ukraine can still be brought closer to the alliance through defense industry cooperation and NATO-compatible systems.

"If I had a choice, we would make Ukraine into a NATO member immediately. But I'm realistic that that's not on the political cards," Stubb said. "But my main point is that NATO needs Ukraine as much as Ukraine needs NATO.

"Their capabilities in drones and missiles are superior to those of most members in the alliance."

The ‌Kremlin on Monday said President Donald Trump has had a consistent ‌position on the conflict ​in Ukraine and that suggestions that Trump frequently ⁠changed his mind ​on the subject were not ⁠true.

Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for ‌nearly 90 minutes by ​phone on ‌Saturday ahead of this ‌week's NATO summit.

Trump also spoke to Zelenskyy.

Diplomatic efforts ⁠by Trump directed at Russia's invasion of Ukraine have been held up as he focuses ‌on the war with Iran.